Cardboard setting-up machine

ABSTRACT

A device for setting up of flatly disposed cardboard blanks by insertion of the latter into a folding shaft by means of a stamp, whereby the folding means of the blank are engaged against the upright wall portions by means of swingable folding members, which comprises a folding shaft composed of individual structural stones and an inner rod system comprising a plurality of rods. The individual structural stones are guided displaceably and securably on the rods. Carrying stones grip the ends of the rods. An outer rod system disposed axis parallel to the inner rod system and includes carrying rods, and the carrying stones are in turn displaceable and securable on the carrying rods.

United States Patent Inventor Filed Patented Assignee Priority Appl. No.

CARDBOARD SETTING-UP MACHINE 11 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl Int. Cl Field of Search References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/ l 95 l Acker 3,5l2,459 5/1970 Frank ABSTRACT: A device for setting up of flatly disposed cardboard blanks by insertion of the latter into a folding shaft by means of a stamp, whereby the folding means of the blank are engaged against the upright wall portions by means of swingable folding members, which comprises a folding shaft composed of individual structural stones and an inner rod system comprising a plurality of rods. The individual structural stones are guided displaceably and securably on the rods. Carrying stones grip the ends of the rods. An outer rod system disposed axis parallel to the inner rod system and includes carrying rods, and the carrying stones are in turn displaceable and securable on the carrying rods.

PATENTEUJAJI 41972 3631-769 sum 1 or 3 AJNVENTOR (QM BY MW) PATENTEDJAN were 3.631.769

SHEET 2 BF 3 Fig. Z

" I VEN TOR PATENTEU JAN 41972 SHEET 3 [IF 3 IN VEN roR CARDBOARD SETTING-UP MACHINE The present invention relates to a device for setting up of cardboards, in general, and to such a device for setting up of flat cardboard blanks by insertion thereof by means of a force plate in a folding shaft, whereby the folding flaps of the blank are applied by means of swingable folding members against the upright wall portions, in particular.

Such devices are known for some time. They are characterized by more or less complicated devices, with which successively the insertion of the blank into the folding shaft, as well as the turning of the folding flaps against the upright wall portions is performed. Thus, one of the constructively complicated devices resides in an arrangement according to which the stamp pushes the blank into the folding shaft, on which swingable folding members are mounted, which press inwardly by lateral swinging in the folding flaps. The final engagement of the flap takes place by additional folding tools, which displace themselves axially to the stamp.

in another less complicated device, the pressure members are united with the folding member, that means, instead of a force plate, pressure and folding rails consisting of angular profiles are provided, which pressure and folding rails are combined with a swingably mounted tool and mounted in an axis-parallel arrangement on a carrier guided for lifting and lowering.

Aside from the fact that the last-mentioned device is suitable only for the insertion of the blank and for folding over of two oppositely disposed folding flaps, the rigid arrangement of the pressure and folding rails relative to each other does not permit an adjustment possibility, so that in case of a blank size requiring slight changes only, other pressure and folding tools are required.

In another known device, a two-part stamp is provided in a conditionally adjustable frame shaft, the outer force plate of the stamp of which provides the insertion of the flat blank into the folding shaft and it following hollow body, consisting of four walls folded over the already prebroken and slightly inwardly angled folding rails completely and engages against the upright wall portions.

It is a common drawback of all known devices for setting up of blanks, that they are equipped either with none or only with a slight adjusting possibility for the purpose of adjustment to different blank sizes. In addition to the different blank bottom face, also differently high sidewalls with correspondingly adjusted folding bars are to be considered.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a cardboard setting-up machine which is characterized by an extremely simple, clear and robust construction, as well as by the possibility of an adjustment to different format sizes of the cardboard blanks and in particular in connection with the bottom face and the wall height of the finished steps.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a cardboard setting-up machine, wherein the folding shaft comprises individual structural elements which are aligned on rods of an inner rod system and are displaceable thereon and guidingly securable, whereby the rod ends are gripped in carrying stones which, in turn, are displaceable and securably mounted on rods of an outer rod system arranged axis parallel to the inner system.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, each rod of the inner system is equipped with at least three structural elements, of which the two elements form as cornerstones with the adjacent cornerstones of the rods, perpendicularly disposed thereto, a folding shaft comer and the median immovably disposed central stone is equipped with a rotary folder turning over the folding bars.

This minimum equipment of a folding shaft side, consisting of two cornerstones and one central stone, makes possible a fast variation of the the open width of the folding shaft, whereby merely the cornerstones are displaced and secured, while the four central stones retain without variation their position. The rods carrying the folding shaft are framed at their ends by carrying stones, which in turn, are likewise mounted for displacement on rods. The distance between the.

jecting outwardly through the carrying stone, the oscillatingmovement of the rotary axis being obtained by means of a movement controlled rod system from a drive common for all. rotary folders.

Furthermore, by incorporation of a needle bar ineach central stone, it is taken care, that the blank is retained during folding over of the folding bars. Likewise are the cornerstones equipped with locking tongues pointing towards the folding shaft, which locking tongues prevent a joining of the movement of the cardboard by the force plate returning to its starting position.

Finally the arrangement of the force plate is made such, that it presses the blanks from below upwardly through the folding shaft, so that in the sense of a staple formation with a finishing of one step, the steps resting thereon are lifted always for one step height.

The material for the cardboard blanks consists preferably of corrugated cardboard which is just suitable for the production of steps, for example, fruit steps or steps for the reception of containers filled with milk products.

A presumption for an exact folding of the bars is as a mater of course exactly prebroken bending edges of the blank obtained by grooves, cuts or perforations.

With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent in the following detailed description, the present invention, which is disclosed by example only, will be clearly understood in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a folding shaft of the device designed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 2-4 are elevations of the device disclosing the impression of a cardboard blank and the folding over of the folding bars in three different states of operation;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a rotary folder with an operating device shown at an enlarged scale;

FIG. 6 is a flatly arranged cardboard blank; and

FlG. 7 is a finished product capable of being stapled.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to H08. 1 to 4, the folding shaft 1 is formed totally by four shaft walls disposed at a right angle towards each other, which shaft walls comprise substantially rods 2 built in pairs in a rectangle and equipped with structural elements. At least three structural elements 3 and 4 belong to each shaft wall and each of the structural elements comprises a central stone 3 and on both sides tow cornerstones 4, which form with the adjacent cornerstones of the adjacent shaft wall a closed folding shaft comer. By the vertical arrangement of the pair of rods projecting through the individual stones, each stone has the necessary rigid guidance on the rods 2. The width of the rods 3 and 4 is dimensioned such, that the latter surround tightly a small and in case of the largest loosening a very large folding shaft 1. During the transposition from one size to another, the central stones 3 remain immovable on the pair of rods 2, while only the cornerstones 4 are subjected to a displacement outwardly or towards the central stone 3. The securing of the cornerstones 4 and as a matter of course of the central stone 3 on the pair of rods 2 can take place for example by serrated pins insertable into the stones fonn the outside or by means of spring-biased pin receiving with its longitudinal bore the rod, such, that upon impression of the pin against the force of the spring effective thereon, the rod 2 remains unchanged, whereby a displacement of the stone is possible, when the pin is inserted.

If with this arrangement of the comer and central stones 3 and 4 the structure of the folding shaft 1 is closed, it is of essence, to render the folding shaft 1 so stable and safe for connection, by coordinating one filling stone to each two adjacent cornerstones 3 and 4, which filling stone 5 receives the rods 2 from two adjacent pairs of rods at their crossing points.

With an equal distance relative to each other the rod ends are framed by carrying stones 6, which in turn, are projected by carrying rods 7. The carrying stones 6 are likewise, as the carrying stones 4, displaceably arranged on their carrying rods 7 and secured by the same previously mentioned securing means against displacement. The rods 2 with the central corner and filling stones 3, 4 and 5 form thus the inner rod system, while the carrying rods 7 with the carrying stones 6 disposed axis parallel to the inner rod system constitute the outer rod system. Due to the fact that the pushing through of the cardboard blanks through the folding shaft 1 takes place from below in upward direction, all structural elements forming the folding shaft 1, namely the stones 3 and 4, have a rounded-up lower edge. The central stones 3 are equipped with a rotary folder 8, which comprises one angle iron having an extension member 8a and mounted on a rotary axis. 9. As shown in FIG. 1, the extension members 80 of difierent lengths, participating on the actual deformation work of the cardboard blank are such, that all rotary folders 8 are capable of approximately simultaneously swinging in and swing out again without hindrance relative to each other. The operation of the rotary folders 8 takes place by means of the rotary axis 9, which projects through a corner and filling stone 4 and 5 and a carrying stone 6. Outside on the carrying stone 6 is secured a bearing block 10 in which a rotary disc 11, rigidly connected with the rotary axis 9, is mounted. The latter is equipped with a groove 110, which extends substantially radially from the outer edge to the center. In this groove [10 engages the one end of a control lever 12, the other end of which is guided in a control cam 13. Above the center of the conu'ol lever 12, the latter has a longitudinal bore 12a, into which enters a pin 14 serving as an immovable point. Below the longitudinal bore 120 is pivotally connected the end of a bendable pulling and pushing rod 15, the movement of which is derived from a driving cam disc (not shown). In order not to require for each pulling and pushing rod 15 a driving disc, the bendable rods 15 terminate all into one point, such, that one single driving cam disc is required for all four rods 15.

The particular arrangement of the control lever 12 between an immovable control cam 13 and a groove 11a, participating in a rotary movement in combination with a rigid point, causes a transmission of the movement such, that in case of an angular deflection of the control lever 12 of only 60, the rotary axis 9 and thereby the rotary folder 8 perform a rotation of 235. The performance of the control cam 13 makes possible in addition still slower and thereby more quiet start of the rotary folder 8.

As can be ascertained from FIGS. 1-4, in particular, a needle bar 16 is swingably arranged submerged in the central stone 3 above the rotary folder 8. The row of needles 16a steps back in the noninfluenced state of the rotary folder 8, behind the wall of the central stone 3 forming the folding shaft 1. The rotary folder 8 controls the needle bar 16 such, that upon swinging inwardly the rotary folder 8, the needle bar 16 emerges always more from its submerged state, in order by pushing it into the upright wall portions to retain then the carton, when the latter would tend to escape upwardly by the deformation work of the rotary folder 8. The needle bar 16 which resumes again its submerged starting position by means of a spring (not shown), lets free again the carton upon swinging out of the rotary folder 8.

A similar task is assumed by the locking torques 17 (FIG. 1) inserted into the cornerstone 4 (FIG. 1). They consist of locking pawls, which permit the pushing through of the carton from below in upward direction, which prevent, however, that the cardboard for instance is joined in its movement by the force plate 18 moving out downwardly.

The force plate 18 is dimensioned such, that by observation of the wall thicknesses occun'ing with the cardboard blanks, a

play is assured on all sides relative to the open space of the folding shaft 1. This play space can be appreciable first of all in case of use of strong-walled corrugated cardboard blanks. This assumes, however, objection-free prebroken blanks marked by groove or perforation lines.

As an example for a cardboard, a corrugated cardboard blank 19 is chosen, at the bottom part of which are followed four wall portions 19b with connecting rails 19c, as well as four folding rails 19d. With the same machinery device also such corrugated cardboard blanks 19 can be worked, in which the folding rails 19b are omitted on the two narrow sides. For this purpose the small extension pieces 8a of the rotary folders 8 can be omitted. The punchings in the blanks 19 serve the relative teething of finished products 20 stapled in superposed position.

The operation of the setting up device is as follows:

At first, the flatly disposed blank 19, taken from a staple 21 and is exactly aligned to the folding shaft 1, between guide bars 22 and an abutment 23, is guided to the forece plate 18. Upon lifting of the force plate 18, the four wall portions 1 fold over vertically at first, whereby simultaneously two connection bars 19c engage from the inside the long wall portions 19b. Simultaneously with the folding over the rotary folders 8, the needle bars 16 are moved inwardly, so that the rows of needles 16a penetrate into the wall portions 191; and thereby retain the cardboard. The force plate 18 remains as long in the cardboard, until the rotary folders 8 swing inwardly and again outwardly. Since for a rotary folder movement by the control lever 12 a short path of 60 is required, totally and extremely fast rotary folder movement results. The right side of FIG. 4 explains the position of the rotary folder 8, in which the folding-in bars 19b have obtained the engagement at the wall portions 190. During lowering of the forece plate 18, which precedes the swinging out of the rotary folders 8, the lowering torques 17 prevent the joining of the movement by the finished products 20.

In case it should, nevertheless, occur that by not orderly folding over of the folding-in bars 19b, the latter stand ofi slightly, so that the force plate 18 comes into engagement during the downward movement with the folding-in bars 19b, by a corresponding design of the force plate 18 it is provided, that the folding-in bars 19!: are not damaged, rather follow downwardly to the inclination of the force plate 18 and, thereby, assume the position which they would have without the cooperation of the rotary folders 8 during pressing in of the blank 19 through the force plate 18.

While I have disclosed several embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood, that these embodiments are given by example only and not in a limiting sense.

1 claim:

1. A device for setting up of flatly disposed cardboard blanks by insertion of the latter into a folding shaft by means of a stamp, whereby the folding means of the blank are engaged against the upright wall portions by means of swingable folding members, comprising a folding shaft composed of individual structural stones,

an inner rod system comprising a plurality of rods,

said individual structural stones being guided displaceably and securably on said rods,

carrying stones gripping the ends of said rods,

an outer rod system disposed axis parallel to said inner rod system and including carrying rods, and

said carrying stones being in turn displaceable an securable on said carrying rods.

2. The device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said rods is equipped with at least three of said structural stones,

the two outer of said structural stones constitute cornerstones,

said cornerstones forming jointly with cornerstones of the adjacent folding shaft wall a closed folding shaft corner, and

the median and immovably arranged structural stone is equipped with a rotary folder folding over folding parts.

3. The device, as set forth in claim 2, which includes an extension means secured to said rotary folder, and

said extension means is adjusted such, that folding parts of low as of high wall portions are gripped by said rotary folder.

4, The device, as set forth in claim 2, which includes a filling stone coordinated to each pair of adjacent cornerstones for a stifi'ening of said folding shaft, and

said filling stone receives said rods of two adjacent pairs of rods with their crossing points.

5. The device, as set forth in claim 4, which includes a rotary axle projecting successively said cornerstone, said filling stone and said carrying stone,

said rotary folder is secured to said rotary axle,

a drive means operatively connected with said rotary axle,

and

said drive means includes a cam-controlled rod system disposed on said carrying stone.

6. The device, as set forth in claim 5, which includes a bearing block secured to said carrying stone,

a rotary disc rigidly secured to said rotary axle and disposed in said bearing block,

said rotary disc has a groove,

a control lever having a longitudinal bore,

a bendable pull and push rod operating said control lever,

one free end of said control lever is guided in said groove,

a pivot means about which said control lever is rotatable,

and

the other free end of said control lever is forcibly guided in a control cam means.

7. The device, as set forth in claim 6, which includes means for joining said pull and push rod of all said rotary folders on the driving side such, that they are operated simultaneously by a cam disc drive.

8. The device, as set forth in claim 7, which includes a needle bar encased in its noninfluenced state in said central stone and coordinated to said rotary folder, and

said needle bar is controllable during swinging in thereof such, that it penetrates into the wall parts of the blank and retains the latter.

9. The device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cornerstones are equipped with locking tongues pointing towards said folding shaft,

a force plate movable in and out of position, and

said locking tongues secure finished products against a joint movement by said moving-out force plate.

10. The device, as set forth in claim 9, wherein said force plate remains in said cardboard up to the finishing of one finished product.

11. The device, as set forth in claim 10, wherein flatly disposed blanks are set up by said force plate movable from below in upward direction through said folding shaft, thereby lifting successively upon finishing of one product the products disposed above for the height of the product to arrange a staple formation.

* t i i 

1. A device for setting up of flatly disposed cardboard blanks by insertion of the latter into a folding shaft by means of a stamp, whereby the folding means of the blank are engaged against the upright wall portions by means of swingable folding members, comprising a folding shaft composed of individual structural stones, an inner rod system comprising a plurality of rods, said individual structural stones being guided displaceably and securably on said rods, carrying stones gripping the ends of said rods, an outer rod system disposed axis parallel to said inner rod system and including carrying rods, and said carrying stones being in turn displaceable an securable on said carrying rods.
 2. The device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said rods is equipped with at least three of said structural stones, the two outer of said structural stones constitute cornerstones, said cornerstones forming jointly with cornerstones of the adjacent folding shaft wall a closed folding shaft corner, and the median and immovably arranged structural stone is equipped with a rotary folder folding over folding parts.
 3. The device, as set forth in claim 2, which includes an extension means secured to said rotary folder, and said extension means is adjusted such, that folding parts of low as of high wall portions are gripped by said rotary folder.
 4. The device, as set forth in claim 2, which includes a filling stone coordinated to each pair of adjacent cornerstones for a stiffening of said folding shaft, and said filling stone receives said rods of two adjacent pairs of rods with their crossing points.
 5. The device, as set forth in claim 4, which includes a rotary axle projecting successively said cornerstone, said filling stone and said carrying stone, said rotary folder is secured to said rotary axle, a drive means operatively connected with said rotary axle, and said drive means includes a cam-controlled rod system disposed on said carrying stone.
 6. The device, as set forth in claim 5, which includes a bearing block secured to said carrying stone, a rotary disc rigidly secured to said rotary axle and disposed in said bearing block, said rotary disc has a groove, a control lever having a longitudinal bore, a bendable pull and push rod operating said control lever, one free end of said control lever is guided in said groove, a pivot means about which said control lever is rotatable, and the other free end of said control lever is forcibly guided in a control cam means.
 7. The device, as set forth in claim 6, which includes means for joining said pull and push rod of all said rotary folders on the driving side such, that they are operated simultaneously by a cam disc drive.
 8. The device, as set forth in claim 7, which includes a needle bar encased in its noninfluenced state in said central stone and coordinated to said rotary folder, and said needle bar is controllable during swinging in thereof such, that it penetrates into the wall parts of the blank and retains the latter.
 9. The device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein Said cornerstones are equipped with locking tongues pointing towards said folding shaft, a force plate movable in and out of position, and said locking tongues secure finished products against a joint movement by said moving-out force plate.
 10. The device, as set forth in claim 9, wherein said force plate remains in said cardboard up to the finishing of one finished product.
 11. The device, as set forth in claim 10, wherein flatly disposed blanks are set up by said force plate movable from below in upward direction through said folding shaft, thereby lifting successively upon finishing of one product the products disposed above for the height of the product to arrange a staple formation. 